plate no. 6292

The Red Oak (no.2)

Willard Metcalf, 1911

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapehillsskyfoliageshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the landscape with broad strokes of green and yellow.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create the foliage of the trees, focusing on the red oak as the focal point.
step 05
Add shadows to the landscape to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using smaller brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add highlights to the landscape to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix greens by combining viridian green and cadmium yellow. Achieve the red-brown hues of the oak by mixing burnt sienna with cadmium red and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques